Accommodation supplement propping up rental market by $30m a week
Susan Edmunds 05:00, May 22 2021
The amount of money spent on accommodation supplements to help struggling tenants pay rent has doubled in recent years but there are warnings there is no easy way to redesign the system…..
“The accommodation supplement is not a long-term fix, it’s very expensive, it doesn’t increase housing supply. But it will tide us over until we find a more long-term solution. It’s very hard to increase housing supply quickly.”
"In 1991 the National government introduced one of the most radical reforms in the history of state housing: the removal of income-related rents and the establishment of a government accommodation supplement. "
Now I dont know about Zollner but my idea of "tiding over" dosnt run for 30 years….it was a deliberate policy to facilitate credit (debt) growth in a low wage economy,,,,and in that respect it has been successful….shame about the side effects.
It was originally introduced so that low income earners would have a choice between market rentals vs HNZ. Now market rents are nearly impossible it's doing virtually nothing for tenants stuck outside social housing apart from keeping a transitional roof over their heads. Painful stuff.
Ideas
– change the defintion of “market rate” so that rather than peg rent increases to other properties in the area it is pegged to what someone working 60 hours (one and a half parents) could afford without subsidy.
– pay the deposit for disabled who are unable to find suitable rentals that won’t harm their condition
– penalize all those who own more that two properties and don’t rent the others out
If you read the link it was bought in to enable the introduction of market rents in HNZ tenancies…..to level the playing field between state and private rentals as the Gov considered those in state housing were receiving additional support.
A flow on effect was the ability to then sell off state housing to the private sector….and create additional mortgages for the private banks.
I suggest a small tweak to the accomodation benefit legislation.
Any landlord who has had their rental income "propped up" by the benefit can not by law evict a tenant without first paying the subsidy back to the government.
Same for the banks. Any bank which has benefitted by having their mortgage income 'propped up' by the accomodation benefit. Can not force a morgagee sale without first paying back the subsidy to the government.
Sound fair?
Landlords and banks would be a lot less keen on evictions and mortgagee sales.
Such a tweak would act also to cool the housing investor market, helping first home buyers trying to compete with investors.
Benefitting the people who actually want to buy a house to live in. Instead of investors thinking of buying a house for a rental income.
After 4 failed UN resolutions and 11 days of refusing to agree to call for a ceasefire, Joe Biden, under pressure from the left of his party, picks up the phone to Netanyahu, and what-d'-ya-know.
Will be interesting to see now that gay men are being told they can’t state sexual preference if anything changes. Lesbians have had years of being ostracised and told they transphobic for saying they will only date biological women. And this largely being ignored or actively sanctioned by liberals.
That’s a worry. Whatever issues I have with the politics of trans activism at least I understand it it. NB worries me because some of it appears to be based in the idea that we can opt out of sexed bodies and that has implications far beyond personal choice .
then there is this, which makes me understand the NB position more:
I have an acquaintance who's oldest son (19) has announced he wants to be a girl. The new name has been chosen by which they wish to be known, henceforth.
There seems to be some unresolved grief from the youngster as Dad left the family unit 2 years ago and the oldest spent a bit of time living with Dad but that didn't go well.
Mum, (the acquaintance)now primary caregiver with 2 other younger children, seems stoked. They went along to a Trans Support Group meeting but that was disrupted by some local feminists protesting.
The pandemic and lockdown lifted the scab off exposing to view the cruelty and greed, and yes, racism, that underlies our migrant worker system.
…the Government doesn’t want to suddenly deprive capacity-constrained businesses of a huge number of workers, but it also doesn’t want those workers to stay.
Seems that migrant workers are essential, yet disposable, good enough to slave away for us in our orchards and aged care facilities, but not good enough to live with us.
The reason is obvious….once they are residents or citizens the ability to be exploited disappears (or at least diminishes considerably)…..to keep the scheme running requires an ever changing cohort of vulnerable hopefuls.
Interesting article here on the supposed victimisation of the privileged and the myth of modern day cancel culture:
To those accustomed to privilege, equality can feel like oppression.
National pollster David Farrar touted cancel culture as a vote winner at a meeting with National Party faithful, although he had, first, to ask his Twitter followers to dig up examples of this rampant scourge. “To save me looking up all the worst examples, can people share them here?” he tweeted on the day of his speech.
“There’s no suggestion,” wrote Ben Thomas later in The Spinoff, apparently with a straight face, “that [Farrar’s idea] was backed up by polling, or research”.
Denunications of cancel culture undermine fair protest, lack empathy, and miss the point. They are also routinely made, without irony, by those who rail against the press. Donald Trump is a good example.
Martin van Beynen has written an excellent goodbye piece covering his views on life, Left vs. Right, character [flaws] forming opinion, and being privileged as an opinion writer, among other things. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if it resonates with at least few Standardistas. Highly recommended.
Opinion writing requires an element of certainty, authority, expertise and conviction. I am becoming more aware of my shortcomings, an affliction which doesn’t seem to affect many other opinion writers.
Just found that parting piece of self-servingness myself.
I don't like being told I'm to blame. I don't like zealots and young know-nothings telling me what to do. I don't like wokeness or virtue signalling or cancelling people for some trivial perceived infringement of current sensibilities. I don't like being told I'm privileged or that I had it too good because of being pale and male. I don't like tailoring my views to suit a new zeitgeist.
…
And yet I realise that society moves on and a new generation taking over will always seem naive and dogmatic to old-timers like me.
…
The right wing is usually closer to the views of the silent majority.
Yes, it's those young lefties who are dogmatic, Martin..
Agree it is worth reading though, for a glimpse at the mindset.
Actually, I related more to one of the other characters. Pooh Bear was innocent and naive, which made him (it?) a likable character, but only for a while …
Thank goodness for this Bill Going Down! We don't need more punitive measures in coping with social problems – that is the autocratic and inhuman way of doing things.
…National Party MP Mark Mitchell was in charge of the bill after picking it up from former New Zealand First MP Darroch Ball…
The Oranga Tamariki (Youth Justice Demerits Points) Amendment Bill sought to reduce repeat reoffending through a demerit points system. Points would have been assigned based on the gravity of an offence, and there would have been different consequences for varying levels of demerits. High level offending, which was 100 points or more, would have seen charges filed in the District Court, rather than the Youth Court.
Judge Andrew Becroft said it would have criminalised more children and young people, particularly impacting those who are Māori, care experienced or disabled.
We need understanding, intelligent, firm approaches with building of goals, empathy, and self-respect and good outcomes enabled for the young people. If in a cycle of bad behaviour and outcomes, punitive measures are just more of the same. What were they thinking? Silly question, they weren't thinking – just reacting with disdain and irritation.
There’s an easy albeit short-term (as in: one-off) fix to boost GDP:
Fully open the borders and complete removal of MIQ and contact tracing and immediately cull the vaccine rollout, which on its own will save close to $1.5 billion.
Dairy company Synlait investigates employee over extreme views.
Dairy company Synlait has launched an investigation into one of its employees after allegations of white supremacist statements.
Worker Lee Williams, who is based in Canterbury, , runs a YouTube channel that posts far right content.
Does Christchurch get a bad rap, unfairly? I don’t think so.
The move comes after an online petition was launched earlier this week calling on Synlait to stop employing Williams.
The petition labels Williams as a "white supremacist" and reads that the undersigned "are deeply concerned" that he is employed by Synlait.
"Lee has been responsible for disseminating extreme white supremacist material, and has consistently been reported for creating objectionable and racist media for his channel," the petition said.
"More recently he has taken to directly attacking Māori MPs, Rawiri Waititi and Hon. Willie Jackson, using blatantly racist rhetoric and is actively and deliberately stoking public fear in response to the He Puapua report."
In response to today's events, Williams posted a video on his YouTube channel this afternoon, saying he had been suspended from his job.
He said he would go back to the country of his origin, the United Kingdom, on a holiday to visit his father.
How about fudge off and don't come back, arsehole.
Williams claims he is a victim of "cancel culture".
"Well done to the proud antifa warriors and I have no doubt the very prominent Māori for coming for my job."
"More recently he has taken to directly attacking Māori MPs, Rawiri Waititi and Hon. Willie Jackson, using blatantly racist rhetoric and is actively and deliberately stoking public fear in response to the He Puapua report."
The Stuff headline writers must need a holiday. Anyway, here ‘s an opinion piece on the complex faces of cancel culture, with podcast interview with Peter Singer at the top (for good measure?). I found it oddly written but the topic is important enough to read it even though there’s no shortage of opinions and what have you on and about cancel culture.
As the man says – This shouldn't happen. Start listening to suggestions for small pilots and fund them when they are practical and ready, while you wait for the magic bullet Labour.
TOKYO (AP) — As she struggled to breathe, Shizue Akita had to wait more than six hours while paramedics searched for a hospital in Osaka that would treat her worsening COVID-19.
When she finally got to one that wasn’t overwhelmed with other patients, doctors diagnosed severe pneumonia and organ failure and sedated her. Akita, 87, was dead two weeks later.
“Osaka’s medical systems have collapsed,” said her son, Kazuyuki Akita. He has watched from his home north of Tokyo as three other family members in Osaka have dealt with the virus, and with inadequate health care. “It’s like hell.”
Hospitals in Osaka, Japan’s third-biggest city and only 2 1/2 hours by bullet train from Summer Olympics host Tokyo, are overflowing with coronavirus patients. About 35,000 people nationwide — twice the number of those in hospitals — must stay at home with the disease, often becoming seriously ill and sometimes dying before they can get medical care.
I've been reading a bit of the book In Defence of Lost Causes by Slavoj Zizek. He discusses why it is hard to pass an honest criticism in a society that wants to appear to be perfect. In Stalin's time the Soviet Media were not permitted any 'down' reports – on crime, prostitution, workers' or other public protests. His comes up with some interesting thoughts and observations on the present.
He says there is a 'prohibition of prohibitions' in today's permissive capitalism. A "postmodern" boss insists that he is not a master but just a coordinator of our joint creative efforts, the first among equals… For instance, the boss is so friendly there should be no 'formalities', you use his 'nickname', he shares a dirty joke with us…but during all this, he remains our master.
…relations of domination function through their denial….We are not only obliged to obey our masters, we are also obliged to act as if we were free and equal…which of course makes the situation even more humiliating. Paradoxically, in such a situation, the first act of liberation is to demand from the master that he act like one: ..insist that he treat us with cold distance,.
(The same goes for patriarchal domination over women in modern societies, this domination is no longer admitted as such – which is why one of the subversive tactics of feminine resistance is mockingly to act as if subordinated . . .)
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Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
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The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
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Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk A women’s union in New Caledonia has staged a sit-in protest this week to support senior Kanak indigenous journalist Thérèse Waia, who works for public broadcaster Nouvelle-Calédonie la Première, after a smear attack by critics. The peaceful demonstration was held on ...
New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring overseas recalls of Indian packaged spice products manufactured by MDH and Everest due to concerns over a cancer-causing pesticide. ...
By Stephen Wright and Stefan Armbruster of BenarNews Fiji’s ranking in a global press freedom index has jumped into the top tier of countries with free or mostly free media after its government last year repealed a draconian law that threatened journalists with prison for doing their jobs. Fiji’s improvement ...
We might be in Invercargill but all anyone can talk about is Gore. Specifically, Salford Street. That’s where three-year-old Lachlan Jones lived, south of the centre of town, between the A&P Showgrounds and the Mataura River. Roughly 1.2 km away from the single level home he lived in with his ...
MONDAY I lined up the latest round of civil servants from city hall against the wall, and signalled for the firing squad to drop their rifles. I stepped up onto a wooden crate to look at the office workers in the eye. But that didn’t feel right, so I found ...
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After a long and illustrious career as a goal kicker, Dan Carter’s favourite way to unwind is… kicking goals. Why can’t he get enough of it? And what it’s like to watch him do it for an hour straight? A semicircle of people wielding cameras and phones has formed in ...
Dame Susan Devoy takes us through her life in television, including late night ER debriefs, her proudest CTI moment and the show she watches in secret. Quite aside from her four world champion squash titles, Dame Susan Devoy will likely go down in history as one of the best Celebrity ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Hall, Lecturer, Media & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University A longstanding feud between TikTok and Universal Music Group seems to have finally reached an end, with both parties signing a deal that will see Universal-backed music returned to the social media ...
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Political parties have now fully disclosed the donations they received last year - with National getting more than double the cash of any other party. ...
A Pacific regionalism expert has called out New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS military pact. ...
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"From the Cradle To the Grave"
Social Welfare for Landlords
Too Big To Fail?
Can you include a link please.
No probs.
My apologies.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/125195278/accommodation-supplement-propping-up-rental-market-by-30m-a-week
Guess who is calling it too big to fail.
Thank you. Bank economists have a special place in hell.
“The accommodation supplement is not a long-term fix, it’s very expensive, it doesn’t increase housing supply. But it will tide us over until we find a more long-term solution. It’s very hard to increase housing supply quickly.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/125195278/accommodation-supplement-propping-up-rental-market-by-30m-a-week
"In 1991 the National government introduced one of the most radical reforms in the history of state housing: the removal of income-related rents and the establishment of a government accommodation supplement. "
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/we-call-it-home/the-state-steps-in-and-out#:~:text=In%201991%20the%20National%20government,of%20a%20government%20accommodation%20supplement.&text=It%20would%20also%20encourage%20state,state%20for%20their%20accommodation%20needs.
Now I dont know about Zollner but my idea of "tiding over" dosnt run for 30 years….it was a deliberate policy to facilitate credit (debt) growth in a low wage economy,,,,and in that respect it has been successful….shame about the side effects.
It was originally introduced so that low income earners would have a choice between market rentals vs HNZ. Now market rents are nearly impossible it's doing virtually nothing for tenants stuck outside social housing apart from keeping a transitional roof over their heads. Painful stuff.
Ideas
– change the defintion of “market rate” so that rather than peg rent increases to other properties in the area it is pegged to what someone working 60 hours (one and a half parents) could afford without subsidy.
– pay the deposit for disabled who are unable to find suitable rentals that won’t harm their condition
– penalize all those who own more that two properties and don’t rent the others out
If you read the link it was bought in to enable the introduction of market rents in HNZ tenancies…..to level the playing field between state and private rentals as the Gov considered those in state housing were receiving additional support.
A flow on effect was the ability to then sell off state housing to the private sector….and create additional mortgages for the private banks.
It also increased the book value of the HNZ stock, "to bring them in line with privately held properties"
Cunning little play by the then Nat finance minister, ifrc did quite a lot for the budget that year….
And as you say, paved the way for the future sale of much of the HNZ stock.
The origins of the current mess…and implemented shortly after the BNZ bailout and before the subsequent sale.
Never let a good crisis go to waste.
100% correct Pat.
Hindsight is a wonderful (and often useless) thing
That’s how they sold it, I recall
Hidden agendas and politics go hand in hand (sadly)
Redesign the
rortsysyem by saying as of next year the supplement will half, followed by halving the next year and be gone the following year.Job done.
I suggest a small tweak to the accomodation benefit legislation.
Any landlord who has had their rental income "propped up" by the benefit can not by law evict a tenant without first paying the subsidy back to the government.
Same for the banks. Any bank which has benefitted by having their mortgage income 'propped up' by the accomodation benefit. Can not force a morgagee sale without first paying back the subsidy to the government.
Sound fair?
Landlords and banks would be a lot less keen on evictions and mortgagee sales.
Such a tweak would act also to cool the housing investor market, helping first home buyers trying to compete with investors.
Benefitting the people who actually want to buy a house to live in. Instead of investors thinking of buying a house for a rental income.
The taxpayers union would approve, surely?
Unless that is they are vile hypcrites
After 4 failed UN resolutions and 11 days of refusing to agree to call for a ceasefire, Joe Biden, under pressure from the left of his party, picks up the phone to Netanyahu, and what-d'-ya-know.
Will be interesting to see now that gay men are being told they can’t state sexual preference if anything changes. Lesbians have had years of being ostracised and told they transphobic for saying they will only date biological women. And this largely being ignored or actively sanctioned by liberals.
https://twitter.com/edibletom/status/1395782144732041222
I don't do Twitter or Faceache, but will follow a thread if recommended by a sensible person.
From your link, I wandered down and found this…. that really resonates.
https://twitter.com/ViburnumCatapus/status/1395708782185943045
That’s a worry. Whatever issues I have with the politics of trans activism at least I understand it it. NB worries me because some of it appears to be based in the idea that we can opt out of sexed bodies and that has implications far beyond personal choice .
then there is this, which makes me understand the NB position more:
https://twitter.com/lettoysbetoys/status/1395012007892508674
I have an acquaintance who's oldest son (19) has announced he wants to be a girl. The new name has been chosen by which they wish to be known, henceforth.
There seems to be some unresolved grief from the youngster as Dad left the family unit 2 years ago and the oldest spent a bit of time living with Dad but that didn't go well.
Mum, (the acquaintance)now primary caregiver with 2 other younger children, seems stoked. They went along to a Trans Support Group meeting but that was disrupted by some local feminists protesting.
I give thanks for my simple life.
The pandemic and lockdown lifted the scab off exposing to view the cruelty and greed, and yes, racism, that underlies our migrant worker system.
Seems that migrant workers are essential, yet disposable, good enough to slave away for us in our orchards and aged care facilities, but not good enough to live with us.
The reason is obvious….once they are residents or citizens the ability to be exploited disappears (or at least diminishes considerably)…..to keep the scheme running requires an ever changing cohort of vulnerable hopefuls.
Interesting article here on the supposed victimisation of the privileged and the myth of modern day cancel culture:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/125192337/to-those-accustomed-to-privilege-equality-can-feel-like-oppression
Martin van Beynen has written an excellent goodbye piece covering his views on life, Left vs. Right, character [flaws] forming opinion, and being privileged as an opinion writer, among other things. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if it resonates with at least few Standardistas. Highly recommended.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/125205470/columnist-dubbed-thinking-mans-redneck-bows-out-after-17-years
Just found that parting piece of self-servingness myself.
Yes, it's those young lefties who are dogmatic, Martin..
Agree it is worth reading though, for a glimpse at the mindset.
I found it refreshingly honest, self-aware, and unpretentious, but I’m used to TS
You would love this guy Winnie the Pooh. Breath of fresh air..
Actually, I related more to one of the other characters. Pooh Bear was innocent and naive, which made him (it?) a likable character, but only for a while …
Eeyore!
Sorry for existing …
Thank goodness for this Bill Going Down! We don't need more punitive measures in coping with social problems – that is the autocratic and inhuman way of doing things.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/443113/children-s-commissioner-welcomes-demise-of-youth-justice-bill
…National Party MP Mark Mitchell was in charge of the bill after picking it up from former New Zealand First MP Darroch Ball…
The Oranga Tamariki (Youth Justice Demerits Points) Amendment Bill sought to reduce repeat reoffending through a demerit points system.
Points would have been assigned based on the gravity of an offence, and there would have been different consequences for varying levels of demerits.
High level offending, which was 100 points or more, would have seen charges filed in the District Court, rather than the Youth Court.
Judge Andrew Becroft said it would have criminalised more children and young people, particularly impacting those who are Māori, care experienced or disabled.
We need understanding, intelligent, firm approaches with building of goals, empathy, and self-respect and good outcomes enabled for the young people. If in a cycle of bad behaviour and outcomes, punitive measures are just more of the same. What were they thinking? Silly question, they weren't thinking – just reacting with disdain and irritation.
Two articles on Covid in NZ. When the scientific data have come in and been analysed, some interesting conclusions can be drawn.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/05/coronavirus-some-probable-covid-19-nz-cases-probably-not-covid-19-at-all-study.html
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/05/coronavirus-nz-only-oecd-country-to-have-fewer-deaths-than-expected-in-2020-study.html
Paper here (just reading) and BMJ editorial.
https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1137
https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1239
Question,will we have to subsidise the Funeral industry,and will ACT ask us to bring in more dead people to prop up the industry?
This is a hit on GDP.
Ta
There’s an easy albeit short-term (as in: one-off) fix to boost GDP:
Fully open the borders and complete removal of MIQ and contact tracing and immediately cull the vaccine rollout, which on its own will save close to $1.5 billion.
I’d call it Plan F.
Another white supremacist held to account:
Does Christchurch get a bad rap, unfairly? I don’t think so.
How about fudge off and don't come back, arsehole.
Of course Lee Williams is the victim here!
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/dairy-company-synlait-investigates-employee-over-extreme-views/MCISTZL5FCYRRANJPKCTE7JU5U/
"More recently he has taken to directly attacking Māori MPs, Rawiri Waititi and Hon. Willie Jackson, using blatantly racist rhetoric and is actively and deliberately stoking public fear in response to the He Puapua report."
I thought this was about Judith Collins!
Real einsteins.
https://twitter.com/MekaKiwi/status/1395943012841103361
Personally, I think the title of this Editorial is inaccurate and misleading but who am I to comment here about this?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/125205787/good-science-matters-more-than-ever
Des Gorman is almost as bad as Thornley so I don't know how he managed to get onto the list of 'clear and trusted' science communicators.
Yeah, the irony wasn’t lost on me either but I won’t pre-empt anybody by giving my thoughts on this.
Gorman, a former ACC Medical advisor appointed by Collins to shit all over long term claimants, is a gun for hire.
.
That makes sense. He clearly has loyalty to the National Party.
The Stuff headline writers must need a holiday. Anyway, here ‘s an opinion piece on the complex faces of cancel culture, with podcast interview with Peter Singer at the top (for good measure?). I found it oddly written but the topic is important enough to read it even though there’s no shortage of opinions and what have you on and about cancel culture.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/125192337/to-those-accustomed-to-privilege-equality-can-feel-like-oppression
Scud this might interest you as well as others.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/04/how-special-ops-became-the-solution-to-everything/618080/ March 2021
As the man says – This shouldn't happen. Start listening to suggestions for small pilots and fund them when they are practical and ready, while you wait for the magic bullet Labour.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018796438/personal-account-of-becoming-homeless-while-on-the-wait-list
A super-spreader event in the making.
TOKYO (AP) — As she struggled to breathe, Shizue Akita had to wait more than six hours while paramedics searched for a hospital in Osaka that would treat her worsening COVID-19.
When she finally got to one that wasn’t overwhelmed with other patients, doctors diagnosed severe pneumonia and organ failure and sedated her. Akita, 87, was dead two weeks later.
“Osaka’s medical systems have collapsed,” said her son, Kazuyuki Akita. He has watched from his home north of Tokyo as three other family members in Osaka have dealt with the virus, and with inadequate health care. “It’s like hell.”
Hospitals in Osaka, Japan’s third-biggest city and only 2 1/2 hours by bullet train from Summer Olympics host Tokyo, are overflowing with coronavirus patients. About 35,000 people nationwide — twice the number of those in hospitals — must stay at home with the disease, often becoming seriously ill and sometimes dying before they can get medical care.
https://apnews.com/article/japan-coronavirus-pandemic-business-olympic-games-2020-tokyo-olympics-72cc0b10127e8bab06406a6ec6bcedd6
Just watch the silly old men in charge insist their sportsing business is more important.
What price for our sport infotainment industry?
If the Olmpics does become a super-spreader event.
This will be an Olympics that is measured by lives lost, not by gold medals won.
I've been reading a bit of the book In Defence of Lost Causes by Slavoj Zizek. He discusses why it is hard to pass an honest criticism in a society that wants to appear to be perfect. In Stalin's time the Soviet Media were not permitted any 'down' reports – on crime, prostitution, workers' or other public protests. His comes up with some interesting thoughts and observations on the present.
He says there is a 'prohibition of prohibitions' in today's permissive capitalism. A "postmodern" boss insists that he is not a master but just a coordinator of our joint creative efforts, the first among equals… For instance, the boss is so friendly there should be no 'formalities', you use his 'nickname', he shares a dirty joke with us…but during all this, he remains our master.
…relations of domination function through their denial….We are not only obliged to obey our masters, we are also obliged to act as if we were free and equal…which of course makes the situation even more humiliating. Paradoxically, in such a situation, the first act of liberation is to demand from the master that he act like one: ..insist that he treat us with cold distance,.
(The same goes for patriarchal domination over women in modern societies, this domination is no longer admitted as such – which is why one of the subversive tactics of feminine resistance is mockingly to act as if subordinated . . .)
Like a poem.
There is a coup underway in Samoa. Their head of state has proclaimed that parliament won’t open on Monday, even though their constitution requires it meet within 45 days of the election – and Monday is 45 days after their 9 April election.
Samoa Observer
Stuff
Section 52 of the Samoan Constitution
Filthy old men.
https://twitter.com/MichaelFieldNZ/status/1396039373947166723
Wrap up.
https://twitter.com/dancapper/status/1396066603825983491